01
Best overall pick
Jack London State Historic Park
Glen Ellen Hills • Historic State Park With Forested Ridges • Best All-Around Hiking Destination
A mix of history and scenery, with loops ranging from quick leg-stretchers to half-day climbs on Sonoma Mountain.
Just up the road from Eldridge, Jack London offers some of the most varied hiking in the valley, from shady canyon paths to open ridge views. You can link the Mountain Trail, Quarry Trail, and Sonoma Ridge routes for a real workout, or keep it mellow around the historic Wolf House ruins and London’s cottage. It’s the spot locals recommend when you want one place that truly has a bit of everything.
02
Best easy-going option
Sonoma Valley Regional Park
Sonoma Valley Floor • Valley Park With Gentle Oak Woodlands • Top Choice For Easy Family Walks
An approachable network of mostly gentle trails threading through meadows, creek corridors, and low hills.
This is where many Eldridge and Glen Ellen residents go for a quick walk that still feels like a real escape. The main paved path is stroller- and kid-friendly, while side trails climb just enough to give you views of vineyards and surrounding ridges. It’s ideal when you want fresh air without committing to a long or steep hike.
03
Best for big views
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
Kenwood Foothills • Mountainous State Park With Creeks And Waterfalls • Go-To Spot For Summit Views And Stars
A higher-elevation park with rugged climbs, seasonal waterfalls, and sweeping vistas over Sonoma and Napa.
A short drive up Sonoma Valley brings you into cooler, higher country at Sugarloaf, where trails like Bald Mountain reward steady climbs with 360-degree views. In wetter months, the Canyon and Pony Gate trails add the bonus of a cascading creek and small falls. Plan to linger if you can—this is also a favorite place to stay after dark for stargazing on clear nights.
04
Best long-haul hike
North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park & Open Space Preserve
Bennett Valley Crest • Backcountry Preserve With Panoramic Ridges • Best For Long, Quiet Ridge Hikes
A more remote-feeling stretch of Sonoma Mountain with long ridge trails and big-sky views over two valleys.
If you like the idea of settling into a steady climb and leaving most of the crowd behind, this preserve delivers. The North Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail winds through shady forests and open slopes, with viewpoints that look across both Sonoma Valley and the Santa Rosa plain. It’s a great choice for a training hike or a cooler-season outing when you want hours on trail without a lot of road time from Eldridge.
05
Best for distance and variety
Trione-Annadel State Park
East Santa Rosa • Lakeside Park With Extensive Singletrack • Favorite For Mileage And Wildflowers
A sprawling trail network with everything from rocky climbs to mellow lakeside paths and spring wildflower meadows.
Annadel sits a bit farther from Eldridge but pays you back with miles of interconnected trails that let you design exactly the hike you want. Head up from the main trailheads to reach Lake Ilsanjo, then branch out on different loops each visit for new views of volcanic rock outcrops and rolling grasslands. Come in spring for carpets of lupine and poppies, or use it year-round when you’re craving a longer, more adventurous day on foot.